Oh wise French mumsnetters, come and advise me on apéro...

[BriocheDoree]

Have invited some friends over for apéro. Lovely people but slightly older/more formal than most of my friends here. Need to know what the correct procedure is for apéro. What time do you start? How much food (vis. nibbles, olives, whatever) do you serve? Wine or champagne?
Any tips gratefully received. Most of my friends here are not quite so steeped in the "correct" way of doing things!!

I would do it the Brit way - offer G&T, Pastis (as it's France), Vermouth, or do Kirs, and I would offer olives, nibbles etc.

But what time? Is 5 o'clock too early (knowing that I do most things "too early" by French standards. Got odd looks in the play park the other day for giving the kids their gouter at quarter past three)

Any earlier than 7pm would be considered 'odd' IMO.
To scaryteachers list I would add beer and also find people drink what I would class as after dinner drinks like port and Baileys.
Champagne only if celebrating something particular (but I don't hang out with wealthy and chic bourgeoisie, my experience is of the teachers, farmers etc)

Round here aperos are about 7pm too. We've had those little toast things with pate on them, charcuterie, olives, peanuts.

Drinks wise the French seem to adore whisky (judging by the shelves of it in the Carrefour) so you could have a bottle of that. Or a bottle of Pineau. Definitely some wine and Pastis.

Have a great time!

When we arrived our neighbour told us ALL French people have Pastis for apero, so we duly went out and bought a bottle, 7 years and many many apero later the bottle remains unopened...I've found kir is most popular(we're in Brittany though) white wine, beer as above, any little salty things to nibble on. Round here everyone has those weird mini sausage things with mustard too. Beurk.

We've got an unopened bottle of pastis as well.

Generic "fizz" is the standard drink, with or without cassis. Offer the men beer as an alternative. 2 things to watch for, don't offer drinks as soon as people arrive, it is quite normal to wait until everyone has arrived and had a bit of a chat before drinks arrive (there speak someone whose DH has drinks in peoples hands before they've got their coats off), And bring out nibbles in dribs and drabs, so start with just peanuts etc, and bring out the paté toasts, or mini quiches etc after a bit.

Have a good time.

Going against the grain but noticed people do drink pastis here but only when mixed with mint cordial. Agree with french fancy on bringing out in dribs and drabs. Here over the summer we experienced the peanuts first, then the saucisson sec followed some cheese. A lot easier for the host. But we are rural so might be a more basic apero than your way.

forget champers and go for kir, white wine, beer and had mead last weekend which made a nice change.

Enjoy.

Thank you all it went very well